Day 289
The scale and I are back together. We are reunited and it feels so good....
It agreed to go down 1 lb this week and I agreed to be ok with this. If it were not for some hormonal water retention this week, I believe that it would have been closer to two pounds. Any time the scale goes down is a win in my book. I'll take it and I won't complain. :)
Tomorow, I'm on the road again. We'll see how working on a laptop during a 7 hour drive will play out. (No I don't be driving and working at the same time). I am so excited to see my friends this weeken'd. But, I am feeling immensely stressed about work this week. Well, every week really. It's only Monday and I swear I feel like I've already experienced an entire week.
Our experiences are a product of the choices we make. I am grateful that I have a job. But, I've got to tell you that I'm going to be REALLY REALLY grateful come Friday when I officially trade my work hat out for a more colorful and fun one.
My water intake wasn't great today and I didn't eat enough throughout the day which set me up for being ravenous by the time I got home. This continues to be a challenge that I have to work on. I did keep it in check though. I'm under on calories today. But, I admit that the food choices that added up to those calories were not all that clean.
That's all for now. I must go to bed because I have to get up at 5 am tomorrow.
Cheers!
Margaret
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Stand in the place where you live....
Day 287,
What a week. Had a great time at the RightNow Conference in Colorado Springs, CO. I stood. I walked. I stood. I talked. I stood. I slept. I walked. I worked. My feet may never be the same.
All this standing made me think of the REM song called stand.
Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before
If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around, so
Think about these lyrics and how they might apply to your own life. I've been thinking a lot about time wasted; dreams unrealized; and goals not met. But, I am choosing to keep my feet on the ground and move forward. Dwelling on the past serves no purpose.
So far, my "no Excuses challenge" is going well I feel confident that the scale and I will be friends again come Monday.
Emotionally, I struggled today. I think it's travel fatigue.... hormones.... and a bit of stress. Some days it's easier to deal with my "inability to have kids fate" than others. Today was one of those days when it was harder.
A coworker brought her beautiful newborn into the office and then I went to see the new Katherine Heigl/Josh Duhmel flick tonight. NOT smart. Most days, it doesn't bother me at all. But, we all get nostalgic for the things we can't have sometimes. Today was one of those days for me. Today was just one of those days when I was bitten by the jealousy and regret bug.
Tomorrow, it won't hurt like it does today. I don't bring this up because I want sympathy or anything like that. It's just part of my journey. And, it's also part of why I sometimes struggle to do the right thing when it comes to food and exercise.
Anyway, Today I choose to put my feet on the ground and "stand in the place where I live" and be grateful for the blessings I do have and strive not to lament the things I don't.
Cheers!
Margaret
What a week. Had a great time at the RightNow Conference in Colorado Springs, CO. I stood. I walked. I stood. I talked. I stood. I slept. I walked. I worked. My feet may never be the same.
All this standing made me think of the REM song called stand.
Stand in the place where you live
Now face North
Think about direction
Wonder why you haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Now face West
Think about the place where you live
Wonder why you haven't before
If you are confused, check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around, so
Think about these lyrics and how they might apply to your own life. I've been thinking a lot about time wasted; dreams unrealized; and goals not met. But, I am choosing to keep my feet on the ground and move forward. Dwelling on the past serves no purpose.
So far, my "no Excuses challenge" is going well I feel confident that the scale and I will be friends again come Monday.
Emotionally, I struggled today. I think it's travel fatigue.... hormones.... and a bit of stress. Some days it's easier to deal with my "inability to have kids fate" than others. Today was one of those days when it was harder.
A coworker brought her beautiful newborn into the office and then I went to see the new Katherine Heigl/Josh Duhmel flick tonight. NOT smart. Most days, it doesn't bother me at all. But, we all get nostalgic for the things we can't have sometimes. Today was one of those days for me. Today was just one of those days when I was bitten by the jealousy and regret bug.
Tomorrow, it won't hurt like it does today. I don't bring this up because I want sympathy or anything like that. It's just part of my journey. And, it's also part of why I sometimes struggle to do the right thing when it comes to food and exercise.
Anyway, Today I choose to put my feet on the ground and "stand in the place where I live" and be grateful for the blessings I do have and strive not to lament the things I don't.
Cheers!
Margaret
Monday, October 11, 2010
Math for Dummies
Day 293 283,
Ok.. It's a well known fact that I'm mathmatically challenged, but this has to take the cake. Apparently, after one of my blog lapses, I miscalculated which day it is in my journey by a factor of 10. Bad news is, it's official, I can't count. Good news is I just found 10 more days in my journey to get below 200 lbs. YAHOO!
The way I see it, I have a couple of options here. I can stick with the 72 Days of No Excuses Challenge and build in 10 days for griping, whining, complaining, etc. Or, I can rename it the 82 Days of No Excuses Challenge. I think I'll go with the latter. Everytime I give myself an inch, I take a mile!
Like a good girl, I planned my meals last night. I laid out my workout clothes and plotted my workout. Then... I couldn't sleep. I think the last time I looked at the clock it was about 2 am. The snooze button was my friend this morning. I came in at 1852 calories. 42% carbs; 27 fat; 31% protein.
I got back into the gym for the first time since I got sick. It felt good to get in a little aggression therapy. I'm off to Colorado Springs, CO tomorrow. I'm sooooo looking forward to my 6:40 AM flight... NOT! As grumpy as I am when I wake up in the morning, I could probably just mount my broom and get there sooner than Southwest.
Cheers!
Margaret
Ok.. It's a well known fact that I'm mathmatically challenged, but this has to take the cake. Apparently, after one of my blog lapses, I miscalculated which day it is in my journey by a factor of 10. Bad news is, it's official, I can't count. Good news is I just found 10 more days in my journey to get below 200 lbs. YAHOO!
The way I see it, I have a couple of options here. I can stick with the 72 Days of No Excuses Challenge and build in 10 days for griping, whining, complaining, etc. Or, I can rename it the 82 Days of No Excuses Challenge. I think I'll go with the latter. Everytime I give myself an inch, I take a mile!
Like a good girl, I planned my meals last night. I laid out my workout clothes and plotted my workout. Then... I couldn't sleep. I think the last time I looked at the clock it was about 2 am. The snooze button was my friend this morning. I came in at 1852 calories. 42% carbs; 27 fat; 31% protein.
I got back into the gym for the first time since I got sick. It felt good to get in a little aggression therapy. I'm off to Colorado Springs, CO tomorrow. I'm sooooo looking forward to my 6:40 AM flight... NOT! As grumpy as I am when I wake up in the morning, I could probably just mount my broom and get there sooner than Southwest.
Cheers!
Margaret
Sunday, October 10, 2010
72 Days of No Excuses!
Day 292
I am beginning a new chapter tomorrow. I'm calling this challenge 72 Days of No Excuses.
Why? Because tomorow there will be exactly 72 days left in this year and I'm determined to finish out this year long journey on the highest note possible. It would be easy for me to say "oh well... I set a goal to lose 100 lbs in a year and there's no way I'll make it, so I'll just give up." ABSOLUTELY NO WAY WILL I DO THAT. I've lost 33 pounds in 10 months. That's a lot better than gaining is it not? Heck yeah it is.
Could I have lost more? Yes.
Have I put in the level of effort required to get there? No.
Does that make me a failure? No.
If I had been willing to do whatever it took to reach this goal, I would be around 75 lbs down by now. I didn't. I own it. And, that's ok. I cannot change yesterday. But, I have everything to say about what happens next.
So, here are my Challenge goals.
In 72 days I will be under 200 pounds for the first time since somewhere around 1993.
I will be comfortably in a size 14/16 pair of pants.
I will participate in Rudolph's Red Nose Run 5k on December 3 with a goal of finishing in under 45 minutes.
I will not miss a single workout. I pledge a minimum of 5 workouts per week. (50 workouts)
I will not exceed 1800 calories per day except for Free Day when I will allow an extra 1000 calories.
I will blog daily unless I don't have an internet connection (Possibly Oct. 24, 25, 26)
Cheers!
Margaret
I am beginning a new chapter tomorrow. I'm calling this challenge 72 Days of No Excuses.
Why? Because tomorow there will be exactly 72 days left in this year and I'm determined to finish out this year long journey on the highest note possible. It would be easy for me to say "oh well... I set a goal to lose 100 lbs in a year and there's no way I'll make it, so I'll just give up." ABSOLUTELY NO WAY WILL I DO THAT. I've lost 33 pounds in 10 months. That's a lot better than gaining is it not? Heck yeah it is.
Could I have lost more? Yes.
Have I put in the level of effort required to get there? No.
Does that make me a failure? No.
If I had been willing to do whatever it took to reach this goal, I would be around 75 lbs down by now. I didn't. I own it. And, that's ok. I cannot change yesterday. But, I have everything to say about what happens next.
So, here are my Challenge goals.
In 72 days I will be under 200 pounds for the first time since somewhere around 1993.
I will be comfortably in a size 14/16 pair of pants.
I will participate in Rudolph's Red Nose Run 5k on December 3 with a goal of finishing in under 45 minutes.
I will not miss a single workout. I pledge a minimum of 5 workouts per week. (50 workouts)
I will not exceed 1800 calories per day except for Free Day when I will allow an extra 1000 calories.
I will blog daily unless I don't have an internet connection (Possibly Oct. 24, 25, 26)
Cheers!
Margaret
Friday, October 8, 2010
Back from the Dead...
Day 290
What a difference a week makes. This time last Friday, I was a walking petrie dish. This Friday, I still have the remnants of a cough, but I feel much more like myself. These past two weekends have not been my finest hours. I went from vacation mode to sick mode to work and sick mode in one long blurry, medicine induced haze. It's all been a blur.
This week has really been about work, work and more work. But, at least I'm finally beginning to feel like myself again. This weekend is Tennessee Body for Life Champions Weekend. I'm very excited about this.
Tonight, I will have the opportunity to commiserate with people face to face that I usually only get to "see" online. I'm very excited. I could use some motivation right about now and I always feel great after a BFL event. I can't wait to see some old faces and put some new faces to names. But, what I'm most looking forward to is hearing about the success and determination of others. I can guarantee that I won't make it through this weekend without shedding some tears.
The last BFL event I attended, I weighed roughly 260 pounds. Today, I weigh 230 pounds. That's a significant accomplishment. It's not as much as I'd wanted to lose by now, but, I'm happy and at peace with my progress. I own my triumphs and my missteps. This is a long journey and sometimes I fall short on motivation. I'm looking forward to a big giant dose of it this weekend. Tomorrow, I am planning to run/walk the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k in Brentwood. It will be my first in... oh I don't know... 10 years? Hopefully, I will survive it.
Next week, I'll be traveling for work. But, I'm looking forward to the swanky hotel gym :).
Cheers!
Margaret
What a difference a week makes. This time last Friday, I was a walking petrie dish. This Friday, I still have the remnants of a cough, but I feel much more like myself. These past two weekends have not been my finest hours. I went from vacation mode to sick mode to work and sick mode in one long blurry, medicine induced haze. It's all been a blur.
This week has really been about work, work and more work. But, at least I'm finally beginning to feel like myself again. This weekend is Tennessee Body for Life Champions Weekend. I'm very excited about this.
Tonight, I will have the opportunity to commiserate with people face to face that I usually only get to "see" online. I'm very excited. I could use some motivation right about now and I always feel great after a BFL event. I can't wait to see some old faces and put some new faces to names. But, what I'm most looking forward to is hearing about the success and determination of others. I can guarantee that I won't make it through this weekend without shedding some tears.
The last BFL event I attended, I weighed roughly 260 pounds. Today, I weigh 230 pounds. That's a significant accomplishment. It's not as much as I'd wanted to lose by now, but, I'm happy and at peace with my progress. I own my triumphs and my missteps. This is a long journey and sometimes I fall short on motivation. I'm looking forward to a big giant dose of it this weekend. Tomorrow, I am planning to run/walk the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5k in Brentwood. It will be my first in... oh I don't know... 10 years? Hopefully, I will survive it.
Next week, I'll be traveling for work. But, I'm looking forward to the swanky hotel gym :).
Cheers!
Margaret
Friday, October 1, 2010
Pride and Dignity Lost
Day 283,
I recently spent a long weekend in Vegas with some really great people. Unfortunately, while I was there I came down with a horrible sinus infection / cold / whatever thing. Did I let this stop me? No. Should I have let this stop me? Probably. Especially since it's nearly 7 days later and I'm still wheezing and hacking like I've smoked for 50 years (which i most certainly have not!).
Anyway, the story which is about to unfold is set in the desert outside of Las Vegas in a town called Bolder City at a place called Bootleg Canyon. On this stiffling hot 105 degree, not a cloud in the sky day, we decided that it would be a good idea to take a Zip Line Tour. Now, it must be said that this decision was made weeks in advance BEFORE I got sick.
In order for you to get the full impact of my story you must also know the following:
1. I am highly prone to motion sickness and I spent 40 minutes in the back seat of a 15 passenger van on the way to our destination.
2. Yes. I was very sick already.
3. I had a hot dog for lunch.
It must also be said that I had no idea that this little foray into the desert included a "short" hike to our destination. Upon arriving at Bootleg Canyon, I'll admit that I was a little green from the van ride, followed by the non-air conditioned school bus ride over. But, me being the kind of person who hates to be perceived as weak in any way, I forged ahead. I was the first to get in line behind our guide to begin our ascent to the first release point. About halfway up I began to feel even more nauseated but I pressed on. Did I mention it was 105 degrees? We got to the top and I was definitely winded.
When you are the fattest person in a group, you never want anyone to know that you are winded or feeling nauseous in these situations because you always feel like people assume it's because you are so out of shape. The second thing you think is that the others must believe that you are hungover from the night before because this is Vegas after all. I grabbed a bottle of water and tried not to cough up a lung before being hooked into the harness for our initial descent. I would have been terrified, but I was literally willing myself not to puke in front of these people. My eyes were watering so badly from my illness that I could barely see.
But, once they hit the release and I began my zip line descent, a broad smile came across my face. This was freakin awesome. Then, I became blinded by my salty watery eyes and I was having trouble seeing the hand signals from our guide. Fortunately, I saw his signal to change positions just in time. For a split second I thought, "why am I flying past Tony when he dropped before me?" Then, I hit and instead of being "caught" by my guide I bounced back off the platform with a vengance. It did not feel good. They way back to the platform was to rock back and forth inching your way over. This was NOT helping my stomach at all. Here come the prayers "please don't puke. please don't puke. You just have to make it until they unlatch you and you can run up that hill."
Once I was unhooked I made a beeline for an "out of the way" place to hurl. Notice the picture below... There really was no "out of the way place".
During the next three runs, I tossed my cookies three more times, which resulted in being "asked" if I would take some Electrolytes.
Guide: Ma'am would you mind taking in some electrolytes? They are going to taste like 'poo' but you will feel a lot better.
Me: I'll take whatever you've got. I don't care how bad it tastes. Just give it to me.
The next picture would be after drinking said electrolytes which did indeed taste like poo, which caused me to vomit again.
That fella walking ahead of me is my friend Larry. Despite my objections he stayed with me and rubbed my back as I hurled saying "It's ok Margar". We are now bonded for life because I don't know too many people who will hold your hand while you puke unless they love you.
My husband would be the one at the top taking the pictures. He would have helped me. But, he can't stand the sight of puke. He would most definitely "do it too."
My mantra on this trek was "never quit." There was no freakin way I was going to give up. But, I will say that judging from this next picture, it's safe to say that I was not hiding my dismay very well...
I recently spent a long weekend in Vegas with some really great people. Unfortunately, while I was there I came down with a horrible sinus infection / cold / whatever thing. Did I let this stop me? No. Should I have let this stop me? Probably. Especially since it's nearly 7 days later and I'm still wheezing and hacking like I've smoked for 50 years (which i most certainly have not!).
Anyway, the story which is about to unfold is set in the desert outside of Las Vegas in a town called Bolder City at a place called Bootleg Canyon. On this stiffling hot 105 degree, not a cloud in the sky day, we decided that it would be a good idea to take a Zip Line Tour. Now, it must be said that this decision was made weeks in advance BEFORE I got sick.
In order for you to get the full impact of my story you must also know the following:
1. I am highly prone to motion sickness and I spent 40 minutes in the back seat of a 15 passenger van on the way to our destination.
2. Yes. I was very sick already.
3. I had a hot dog for lunch.
It must also be said that I had no idea that this little foray into the desert included a "short" hike to our destination. Upon arriving at Bootleg Canyon, I'll admit that I was a little green from the van ride, followed by the non-air conditioned school bus ride over. But, me being the kind of person who hates to be perceived as weak in any way, I forged ahead. I was the first to get in line behind our guide to begin our ascent to the first release point. About halfway up I began to feel even more nauseated but I pressed on. Did I mention it was 105 degrees? We got to the top and I was definitely winded.
When you are the fattest person in a group, you never want anyone to know that you are winded or feeling nauseous in these situations because you always feel like people assume it's because you are so out of shape. The second thing you think is that the others must believe that you are hungover from the night before because this is Vegas after all. I grabbed a bottle of water and tried not to cough up a lung before being hooked into the harness for our initial descent. I would have been terrified, but I was literally willing myself not to puke in front of these people. My eyes were watering so badly from my illness that I could barely see.
But, once they hit the release and I began my zip line descent, a broad smile came across my face. This was freakin awesome. Then, I became blinded by my salty watery eyes and I was having trouble seeing the hand signals from our guide. Fortunately, I saw his signal to change positions just in time. For a split second I thought, "why am I flying past Tony when he dropped before me?" Then, I hit and instead of being "caught" by my guide I bounced back off the platform with a vengance. It did not feel good. They way back to the platform was to rock back and forth inching your way over. This was NOT helping my stomach at all. Here come the prayers "please don't puke. please don't puke. You just have to make it until they unlatch you and you can run up that hill."
Once I was unhooked I made a beeline for an "out of the way" place to hurl. Notice the picture below... There really was no "out of the way place".
During the next three runs, I tossed my cookies three more times, which resulted in being "asked" if I would take some Electrolytes.
Guide: Ma'am would you mind taking in some electrolytes? They are going to taste like 'poo' but you will feel a lot better.
Me: I'll take whatever you've got. I don't care how bad it tastes. Just give it to me.
The next picture would be after drinking said electrolytes which did indeed taste like poo, which caused me to vomit again.
My husband would be the one at the top taking the pictures. He would have helped me. But, he can't stand the sight of puke. He would most definitely "do it too."
My mantra on this trek was "never quit." There was no freakin way I was going to give up. But, I will say that judging from this next picture, it's safe to say that I was not hiding my dismay very well...
Suffice it to say that I did make it through all four runs and despite the fact that I was indeed sick as a dog, totally mortified and sweating like it was my job... I would definitely do it all over again. I left pride and dignity in Bootleg Canyon. But, I did not leave my gumption.
Let's end this on a good note.... At least at the beginning of the tour, I had a smile on my face. :)
Cheers!
Margaret
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